Managing Director, Seattle International Film Festival

The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is seeking candidates for the position of Managing Director, one of the two leadership positions in the organization. In essence, the Managing Director serves as SIFF’s Chief Operating Officer and oversees a portfolio of operating businesses that include the following:

• SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Recognized as one of the top film festivals in North America, the Seattle International Film Festival is the largest, most highly-attended film festival in the United States reaching more than 150,000 annually. The 25-day festival is renowned for its wide-ranging and eclectic programming presenting over 250 features and 150 short films from over 70 countries each year.

• SIFF CINEMA

SIFF Cinema exhibits premiere theatrical engagements, repertory, classic, and revival film showings 365 days a year on four screens at the SIFF Film Center and SIFF Cinema Uptown, reaching more than 100,000 attendees annually.

• SIFF EDUCATION

SIFF Education offers educational programs for all audiences serving more than 11,000 students and youth in the community with free programs each year.

The Managing Director is responsible for the sound financial management of the organization and oversight of all of SIFF’s fundraising, development, operations, human resources, marketing and public relations activities. Exemplary specific job functions for this role include:

• Financial management
  • Working with the SIFF Board and the Artistic Director to prepare SIFF’s annual budget, and then managing the organization’s resources in accordance with that budget.
  • Assuring that all financial compliance and reporting activities are carried out according to current laws and standards.
• Fundraising and development
  • Oversee and enhance SIFF’s development activities, working closely with the Board and its Development Committee to ensure SIFF’s growth by shaping and strengthening the organization’s philanthropic profile.
  • Aggressively identify major donor cultivation and solicitation opportunities, and spearhead efforts to solicit increased funding for SIFF programs.
• Marketing and Public Relations
  • Initiate and oversee a comprehensive strategic marketing plan including goals for annual attendance, outreach, fundraising, and engagement across all platforms and pass & ticket sales.
  • Lead institutional marketing/public relations efforts and effectively lead community outreach efforts.
• Human Resources
  • Provide leadership and overall management responsibility for all human resources in the organization, including full-time and part-time paid staff as well as volunteer coordination.
  • Provide and inspire a brand of leadership that results in a positive, productive work environment to ensure the achievement of SIFF’s mission.

The Managing Director works together with the Artistic Director as part of SIFF’s Senior Leadership Team to support the organization’s vision and mandates set by the Board of Directors. Successful candidates must be able to articulate clearly the SIFF mission and ensure that the organization’s philosophy, programs, services and accomplishments are presented in the most compelling manner to stakeholders and the public.

Required Qualifications

Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications:

Education & Experience

• At least ten (10) years’ experience directing and managing professional level staff in business, governmental or a non-profit organization. At least five (5) years of executive management experience preferred.
• A successful management track record, including a pattern of creativity and innovation that will enable him/her to lead the organization in a growth-oriented way.
• Excellent skills in developing and articulating a clear vision and strategic plan for the organization in coordination with the Artistic Director and Board.
• Advanced experience in fundraising campaigns, endowments and philanthropy preferred.
• Advanced experience in leading marketing and public relations efforts preferred.
• Strong experience with human resource management.
• Successful experience developing and cultivating innovative approaches within non-profit communities with strong preference for relationships in the greater Seattle arts, governmental and business communities.
• Combinations of appropriate education, experience, certification and training will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum experience requirement. A Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field is required, and a Master’s Degree is preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Proven team leader and staff manager.
• Successful track record working with and for an experienced and engaged Board of Directors (or equivalent oversight committee in other contexts).
• Capacity to grow and manage a larger and more complex cultural institution.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail and deadlines, and a commitment to quality are a must.
• Flexible but balanced entrepreneurial and strategic mindset to oversee SIFF’s entire portfolio of businesses.
• Ability and willingness to work with Development staff and SIFF’s Board to fundraise with major individual, foundation and corporate donors.
• In-depth experience with and understanding of organizational budgeting and financial operations.
• Working knowledge of governance in voluntary organizations and experience working with Board committees and volunteer groups preferred.
• Ability to creatively partner with the Seattle arts community and demonstrated ability to work with diverse, creative personalities preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize, problem solve, and multitask.
• Excellent demonstrated customer service skills.
• Strong demonstrated computer skills
• Demonstrated experience creating and refining policies and procedures.
• Awareness and sensitivity toward various ethnic, cultural, and other diverse backgrounds.
• Background/experience in the arts preferred.

Management Style

• Fun, knowledgeable, experienced, creative, flexible person who is not afraid to “roll up their sleeves” and do the hard and exciting work of growing a thriving arts organization!
• Team-oriented, collaborative and proactive
• Flexible and goal-oriented
• Hands-on and willing to do whatever is needed
• Visible and accessible
• Open and inclusive
• Astute communications strategist for all aspects of the organization
• Professional
• Ability to work effectively alone and with a team.

Value/Ethical Standards

• Act ethically, responsibly and with utmost integrity.
• Maintain the highest standards of conduct and comportment.
• Treat employees and staff with respect.
• Set personal standards of behavior that serve as a model to others.

Personal Traits

• Confident
• Strong character and credibility
• Professional demeanor
• Hard-working and motivated
• High standards
• Diplomatic
• Organized
• Articulate
• Sense of humor
• Creative

Application Process

Candidates interested in applying for this position are asked to send a current resumé or c.v.

via e-mail to “[email protected]” (Microsoft Word .docx or Adobe PDF format preferred). Electronic submissions are strongly preferred for this position, but if not possible applicants may also apply via US Mail to the following address:

SIFF

Attn: Managing Director Search

305 Harrison Street

Seattle, WA 98109

All applications will be forwarded to the Transition Committee of the SIFF Board of Directors for consideration and will be acknowledged by same.

Background on the Organization

Founded in 1976, SIFF is a 501(c)(3) organization that creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world. It is through the art of cinema that we foster a community that is more informed, aware, and alive. SIFF celebrates transformative power of the moving image in all its forms through a dynamic range of programs with the Seattle International Film Festival, SIFF Cinema and SIFF Education. Over the course, of its 38-year history, SIFF has evolved into a major cultural institution with regional, national and international reach within the film arts community.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Carl Spence and Managing Director Deborah Person, SIFF has significantly broadened the scope of its programs. In 2011 SIFF completed its first ever capital campaign raising $2.8 million to open the SIFF Film Center, the organization’s beautiful new headquarters and permanent home on the grounds of the Seattle Center, the heart of Seattle’s cultural activities. With a 50 seat classroom, a 100 seat state-of-the-art cinema and library and office space, SIFF has greatly expanded and enhanced our year-round efforts. The stability of a permanent home is key to ensuring that these programs thrive for years to come. SIFF also acquired the lease and revived the historic 86 year-old Uptown Cinemas in October of 2011 installing digital projection on two of the three screens, restoring the 50s marquee and breathing life back into the neighborhood. SIFF now reaches more than 100,000 annually across 4 screens on an annual basis in addition to reaching 150,000 during the annual Seattle International Film Festival and 10,000 students through SIFF Education programs.

With total cash revenues at $2.2 million in 2007, SIFF now operates a budget of $3.8 million with an additional $3 million coming from in-kind revenue for a total budget of $6.8 million. Staffing has increased from 10 employees to more than 22 full-time employees with additional hourly staff at the cinemas. The new MD needs to be able to support the vision of the AD and able to embrace the mission of the organization while at the same time embracing the need to evolve in an ever-changing media world and lead SIFF into an even brighter, more expansive and more culturally influential future. We want to continue to grow, to position ourselves to be able seize growth opportunities, continue to maintain a high standard of excellence in the things we do and be at the forefront in areas such as exhibition, education and new ways to create extraordinary experiences around film.

HOW TO APPLY

Reply to: [email protected]